Lifetimes
By Carla
DISCLAIMERS: All the characters and locations belong to DC or Warner, I'm just playing around with them. Helena-oriented, but other characters play a big role as well.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is a bit longer than I meant, but I hope you guys like it anyway. I'll post the next part as soon as it's ready.
Chapter VI: Revelations
"Why are we here?" Helena Kyle asked. Barbara and Dick had taken her to some old mansion. She had been living with them for about a week now. It had shocked her to see Barbara Gordon in a wheelchair for the first time. She remember when she was a kid and Barbara came into town, that is, whichever town she and her mother were living at the time, they used to move around a lot before setting roots in New Gotham. Barbara would take Helena out for a whole day. Barbara stayed more time and hanged out with she and Selina, but that was *their* day. Barbara was, as far as Helena remembered, the only person her mother would trust with her daughter. Sometimes they went to the beach, or spent a whole day at the forest, hiking, whatever they wished. Barbara always seemed so energetic... and now she was paralyzed.
Dick was a lot of fun. She wasn't ready to tell him yet, she had known the guy for only a week, but he was cool. He was poking fun at Barbara all the time, he called her Babs... What kind of nickname was Babs anyway? And he had this awful habit of calling her kiddo, did she look like a kiddo? She was sixteen years old!
Barbara was staying at the most amazing place ever, the Clock Tower, but she never told Helena why. She slept on Barbara's couch, she got away better than Dick, he had the floor and a sleeping bag. Today, Dick had woken her with a nice pillow on the face. He told her to get ready, they were going on a road trip.
And they ended up in front of an old mansion on the skirts of the city. The place was creepy, like a set for some Dracula movie, and both Barbara and Dick seemed edgy.
"Well," Barbara had started to answer her question, "We wanted to show you something."
"What?" she asked.
"Just get out of the car and tag along," Dick said as he removed himself from the driver's seat.
"What, we're going into the manor?"
"Yep." Dick answered.
"Isn't that like breaking and entering?"
"Only if we break a window kiddo."
"Actually Helena," Barbara told her as they made their way to the door, "We're expected." As fn on cue, the big front door opened to reveal an old man, neatly dressed and with a pair of small glasses. He looked like he was a statue, but Helena didn't miss his small gasp when he saw her.
"Hello Alfred," Barbara greeted and Dick smiled at him and waved his hand.
"Miss Barbara, Master Dick," the old man named Alfred answered. Helena couldn't suppress a giggle. 'Master'? Someone actually called Dick Grayson 'Master'? That brought Alfred's attention back to her. "Oh, you must be Miss Helena."
"Actually simply Helena will do."
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Helena." He answered ignoring her remark completely.
"Same here," she answered, not sure about what to say. Barbara smiled at her predicament and took her hand.
"Let's go inside, I want to show you something." Helena was speechless looking at the house's insides. It was an amazing place, everything was neatly cleaned and looked more expensive than everything she owned put together.
"God, the guy living here is loaded!" she commented.
"Actually Hel," she heard Dick, "He's not home."
"Then what are we doing here? Why are you guys so mysterious all of a sudden?" Barbara and Dick looked at each other and then at Alfred, Helena was getting sick of it all, what were they keeping from her now?
"You're right kiddo," Dick stepped towards her, deciding neither Alfred nor Barbara were going to speak first. "Let's get to the point, follow me."
"Dick maybe..."
"Babs, there's a reason we brought her here, right? Let's tell her the whole truth for once and for all!"
"What do you mean?" Helena asked.
"You're right Dick, but maybe this isn't the way." Barbara ignored Helena as well.
"It's the only way I know Babs." And with that Dick started walking, Helena shot one last look at Barbara and then rushed to keep up with Dick. She could hear Barbara and Alfred behind her. They stopped in front of a huge clock, Dick took a deep breath and turned to her.
"Remember when we first met Hel?" he asked.
"Sure, at the alley."
"I told you I knew why your eyes changed and that your mom's were the same way."
"I know."
"I never told you the whole thing."
"What do you mean?"
"He means," Barbara interjected, "It's not just some random thing or some special magic power Helena. Selina, your mom, was what we call a metahuman."
"Metahuman?"
"It's a person whose brain has developed more than the average human, therefore granting this person special abilities others don't have."
"Are you for real?"
"Think about Helena, your eyes change to look like those of cats. So did your mom's. Another thing you inherited from her was your gymnastic abilities, she could pull of amazing things in her days. That was her power, as well as a great empathy with animals... felines to be precise."
"Okay, I give you the eye thing is weird but you're saying mom was some kind of weirdo because she liked catsand was a great gymnastic? And that so am I?"
"I know it's hard to believe Helena," Dick started, "But it's true. Back then, your mother called herself Catwoman."
"Catwoman?"
"Yeah."
"Like you said your name is Nightwing?"
"More or less. Long before you we born, your mom lived here in New Gotham, as well as other... criminals?"
"OTHER CRIMINALS??? Are you saying... what the...!!"
"Selina was a thief. She wasn't a murdered, that was against her code, she was a thief... a great one actually, but she was never a bad person..."
"GO TO HELL!!!" Helena screamed as she rushed to the door. This guy she had just met a week ago was saying her mother had been a criminal? Her mother had never done a bad thing in all the time she had known her! All her life. Even if they got along, or he had helped her out, he had no right to insult her mother's memory! She was about to reach the door when a couple of strong arms lifted her.
"Not so fast kiddo!"
"LET GO OF ME!!!!!!!!! LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!!!!"
"Helena!!" Barbara's voice was enough to made her stop. She stopped fighting Dick, and he let go. She turned to face Barbara.
"Selina was a thief known as Catwoman. She wasn't a regular criminal, sometimes she helped us out, sometimes she didn't. In a sense, she wasn't aligned with either side. Understand this: We're not making up stories, this is your mother's past. And she retired, completely when you came along, because she wanted a better life for you." Helena was speechless, she just continued to stare at Barbara so the other woman went on. "Selina was the kind of person that needed the adrenaline, the rush of doing something bad even. You know the part she enjoyed the most? She knew she could get away with it, she was the best ever."
"So my mom was a great thief?"
"I know this isn't like a compliment either but I want you to understand there's a reason we're telling you this. Also, we don't think she was a bad person, you know we had a long friendship, and so did Dick." Helena was starting to relax, she still couldn't quite make sense of the idea of her mother being a thief... Catwoman? But she wasn't mad anymore. She turned to Dick.
"Then how come we never met before? If you were a friend of my mom?"
"Because I had no idea were she was, like I had no idea you existed."
"Why?" silence again. Helena knew this wasn't all they wanted to say, from their faces, she could tell this wasn't even the hard part.
"Just follow me, okay?" Dick went back to the big clock, all four of them were facing it.
"What now?" she asked. Dick just smiled and pushed the clock, revealing a dark long hallway. Helena's eyes grew bigger and popped her head into the hallway.
"Pretty cool, eh?" she heard Dick's voice behind her.
"Where does this lead to?" she asked.
"Find out." That was all the encouragement she needed. After walking through the hallway and down some stairs she was facing the most amazing place ever. It was a huge cave with a laboratory, a lot of books, weapons and a real big mess. Apparently there had once been a struggle in this place. She started walking around, she could see a huge black car in a corner. There were tones of weird stuff, they appeared to be trophies... what was this place?
"Welcome to the Batcave." Dick said.
"The Batcave?"
"Years ago Helena," Barbara started, "When your mother was Catwoman," Helena felt a shudder down her spine, "There were a lot of criminals in this town... the most amazing criminals you can imagine."
"Metahumans?" she asked.
"Some of them... most of them. But they had the most unique approach to crimes... they had motifs. For example, Catwoman usually picked targets that were cat-oriented."
"Why?"
"Well... with your mother... just because she liked cat-stuff... and that way she knew he would find her... let's just say for your mother, it was part of the fun. For the rest of them... well they were insane."
"Okay... so, let me get this straight: Nightwing is some sort of vigilante, I got that... you too Barbara? And to face crazy people?"
"I... used to be a vigilante, I called myself Batgirl."
"Batgirl?"
"Let's move on, shall we?"
"Alright, 'Batgirl'."
"And these crazy villains... most of them were murderers, they were very dangerous. But back them, not Dick neither I were the big heroes... we were part of the team, but our leader was called the Batman."
"Was he your boyfriend?"
"Ha!" Dick couldn't help it.
"Of course not! He was our mentor, Helena, a wonderful man, amazing crime-fighter, a genius in every aspect of the word..."
"Was he a metahuman? Were you?"
"No and no, we are simple humans. But we fought these criminals time after time."
"You fought my mom?"
"Yes... but it was mostly Batman who dealt with her... Batman was Bruce Wayne, he's the owner of this mansion. Batman and Catwoman fought for a long time but as I told you, she was never a murderer and sometimes she actually helped us out, she was plainly magnificent in the field. So... they fell in love."
"Mom and Batman?" Helena was starting to get afraid, about where this story might lead.
"Yes. After a time, Bruce and Selina, their public images, started dating... they loved each other so much Helena, you have no idea. But then... your mom left town."
"And I was born." Helena's voice was practically a whisper, she was shaking and as she voiced the question she already knew the answer to, she could feel hot teas down her cheeks "Batman... Bruce Wayne... he's my father, isn't he?"
"Yes sweetie."
"Where is he? WHERE WAS HE? ALL MY LIFE!!! WHERE THE HELL IS HE?" she couldn't help the anger she didn't even realize she was pinning up. This was the man, this was the father she had never met, the father who hadn't showed up when her mother had died... Where was he? Why wasn't he by her side now?
"Helena, he never knew about you, your mom didn't want him to find out she was pregnant, that's why she left town, that's why you guys moved around so much. The day you were born Helena, Selina took an oath, never to steal again, not to don the costume anymore. She loved you so very much, she wanted you to have a normal life, not to have to bear the cross of being Batman and Catwoman's child."
"Why didn't she tell him?"
"This was the mission of his life. Trust me Helena, had he known, he would have been your father, he would have taken care of you... But he wouldn't have given up Batman, that was his duty, it mean everything to him. Your mom was afraid that would put you at risk."
"Okay, I'm all grown up now and mom died, where is he?"
"He... he left."
"WHAT?!"
"Helena, you have to understand... he's heartbroken. Selina was the love of his life, I was his protégé, she died and I'm in this chair... he blames himself."
"Why would he?" Helena asked through greeted teeth, she could see Barbara was getting increasingly nervous.
"Batman's greatest foe was called the Joker. He was a psychotic murderer at his best. That night... we had the final showdown with him, Batman and I. We got to him, there was a fire, Batman saved his life and then we turned him over to the police. He escaped, for a few hours only... but he..." Barbara was crying now as well, she couldn't see Dick's face, "He came after me... and sent a henchman to..."
"Stab my man. He's right, IT IS his fault!"
"Helena..."
"No! My mother retired because of me, because she loved me, something you all agree he wouldn't have done by the way... then... his enemy, he had her killed, because of Batman, not Catwoman, not Selina Kyle... but BATMAN. And then he's gone! That's it Barbara? THAT'S IT?! He killed my mom and he doesn't pay for it?"
"He's in reclusion now..."
"I'm speaking of a knife in his chest! What he did to her!"
"That's not the way..."
"Then what?! Go away because he's 'broken hearted'? What about me? I'm suffering too, but I want revenge... hell, I deserve it! She was all I had, I loved her so much... If he had loved her, he would have killed this Joker... the reason she is dead is that he wanted to play hero and saved this murderer's life! He killed her!"
"No he didn't Helena! He couldn't let him die, and he couldn't kill him, otherwise, he would have become like him."
"So what? He does, big deal."
"Helena, you have to understand... this is your father..."
"NO!!! He's not my father! He didn't raise me, mom did. He was never there for me... He could be now, but he isn't, is he? No, he ran away! He left town, that's how much he cared about my mom... about me... it doesn't matter anyway... I never needed him while growing up, I was fine, I will go on. I don't need him."
"That's not true Helena." Dick said "I can't believe I'm about to say this, but Bruce would have been a good father to you."
"What the hell do you know?"
"He's my father too... He adopted me when I was a little kid."
"Congratulations, he's all yours. I don't want anything to do with him... his life, his name, his fucking Batcave... I don't want a thing. I'll be okay without him, as I have always been."
"This is your home Helena..." Barbara started, "You ARE Bruce Wayne's heir."
"No. Bruce Wayne is a coward. If he wasn't man enough to kill that bastard, trust me, I will do it. Never again bring me to this place Barbara, this isn't my home and will never be." With that Helena ran away, she didn't wait for their answer, she didn't need it, all she wanted was time to be alone and digest all she had learned that day. And what hurt her the most was to know that her father had deserted her, she would never meet him, she was alone, all because of him.
She had been so distracted in the lift. She couldn't think straight... The Joker back in town. He was responsible for her mother's dead. She was actually glad that Reese was standing beside her. Helena hadn't discussed about showing him around the lair with Barbara yet, but she felt safe with him around.
That is, until the elevator's door opened up to show a couple of visitors.
If meeting again Black Canary had been a shock, this was simply out of this world.
The first thing she saw was Dick Grayson. She was so happy to see him, specially with all that was going on. Helena wanted nothing more than to feel her big brother's arms protecting her and making sure all her demon's were slain. There was another man by his side, and Dick, Dinah, Barbara, and Carolyn were suspiciously quiet.
Helena recognized him at once. Sadly, she had already stepped out of the elevator and Reese was blocking her way. This couldn't be happening, not now, not now, not now...
"Hel!" she heard Dick's voice and felt his arms around her like she had wished moments ago, only this time she couldn't shake away the cold feeling from her body. She just look at 'him'. He was so old... More so than in his picture... She had seen a picture of him once, never talked about it with anyone, but her first reaction had been surprise: She didn't look like her mom at all, she had always guessed she resembled her father, and that picture... and the man staring back at her, proved it.
"Hi... hi Dick..."
"Bruce... there's someone you should meet." Helena could hear Barbara's voice like a distant echo. She wished she could run away, hide, do something, but her body was limp, she wasn't sure she was breathing anymore. Standing in front of her was her father.
"This is my protege, Huntress..." Barbara continued. Now Bruce Wayne was looking at her, strangely as well... he couldn't know, could he? He couldn't see it on her face? Right?
"REESE!" she suddenly exclaimed. She had to buy some time and the cop standing by her side was the first thing that crossed her mind.
"What?" she heard him.
"You haven't met..."
"Helena!" Barbara admonished. That caught Bruce's attention. The name. Why? But he was having trouble breathing as well now. He was looking at her, he was trembling.
"Helena?" he asked. Helena's heart skipped a beat. "What's your last name?" he asked. Barbara was right, he could be kinda scary. Still, she didn't answer. Why should she be afraid of him? Why should she feel anything for him at all? She faced him now, feeling her own anger increasing, defiantly.
"Bruce I..." Barbara started.
"Not now!" he practically screamed. "What's your last name?" he asked again.
"My name is Helena Kyle," she answered, her cold exterior never revealing all the feeling running through her body.
"You are Selina's... you're my..."
"You and I are nothing Batman," she answered through greeted teeth and a clenched jaw. "And we will never be. EVER!" And with that she rushed to the elevator again. Reese got in with her before the door closed. Everyone was way too stunned to say a thing.
"Out!" was the first thing Bruce said as Helena Kyle and her friend... Reese was his name? were gone. He was facing Barbara Gordon now, his eyes flashing. Everyone knew enough to obey his command: He and Barbara were going to talk alone now.
When they were all gone, he finally started, choking back his anger.
"This is my daughter, isn't she?" Barbara didn't answer. "I used to joke with Selina, about doing the 'conventional' thing, like moving to a farm, having tons of kids, pets, a big car... all those things. She used to say we weren't like that, and that she wasn't cut out to be a mother. I disagreed. I once mentioned that if I had a son, I would like to name him Sebastian, and if I had a daughter, I would like to name her..."
"Helena."
"Helena." They both said at the same time.
Bruce stared at her for a little more time. Never in his life had he felt so mad, and specially never toward Barbara Gordon.
"Did she know she was pregnant when she left?" He already knew the answer, but he needed to hear Barbara say it.
"Yes. She wanted to start over, for her baby's sake."
"OUR baby." He corrected her. "Start over without me?"
"She loved you."
"I know that."
"Helena never knew about Batman or Catwoman until after Selina died." Bruce couldn't speak at all for about thirty seconds. He understood the message... hell! He could even understand Selina, she was trying to protect their baby girl... He had a baby girl... No, she was a woman now, all grown up. And looking at Barbara he already knew the answer to his next question.
"And you knew all along?"
"Yes."
"And you never told me?"
"I promised her..."
"You betrayed me." It wasn't an accusation, he didn't even sound mad, it was barely an statement. "I had a daughter, you knew about it and never told me. My daughter... just stood here and told me we were nothing and would never be. She hates me. I never knew of her and she hates me because I abandoned her, right? When Selina died... when I bailed on New Gotham... on you all... I bailed on her as well, didn't I? And I never knew."
"Bruce..."
"What is this Huntress business?"
"I told you, she's my protege..."
"Selina ever trained her?"
"No, Selina..."
"Left me, gave up the Life obviously and became a single mother to give that child a normal life and the moment she died you made our daughter, 'Huntress'?"
"It wasn't like that." Barbara whispered.
"Then how was it like Barbara?"
"She was hurt and mad, she was in trouble, she wanted to kill anything in sight, I helped her out and gave her direction... the same way you did with Dick and Jason, your children..."
"One thinks I'm a lousy father and the other one is dead. You got my daughter into the Life?" he asked, loosing the battle with his temper.
"I had to."
"She knows all about me right?" he asked.
"Dick and I told her everything, about you and Catwoman..."
"Where can I find her?" Bruce asked. He was slowly forgetting Barbara was in the room as well, all he could think about was his daughter.
"Bruce, I don't think she's going to be..."
"WHERE THE HELL IS MY DAUGHTER, BARBARA!!" He never allowed his emotions to take him over, but this was different. He was mad, at Selina, Barbara, Dick, himself, hell, he was even mad at Helena. All he knew was that he had to find his child.
"She lives in an apartment above a bar, the Dark Horse, she's the bartender..."
"My daughter, Bruce Wayne's daughter, is a bartender?"
"She preferred it that way. But she probably won't go there, too predictable, easy."
"The guy she came in with."
"Detective Reese?"
"Whatever his name is, track him down, get his address."
"Alright." Barbara started wheeling to her computer. Before she was out of the room, Bruce called to her once again.
"Barbara?" he called.
Silence.
"Bruce, I'm so sorry..." He couldn't see the tears flowing down her cheeks.
"Make no mistake Barbara: you've watched over her since she was born, I can see you helped out Selina, you took Helena in when she was alone, you care about my daughter... I can never thank you enough for that."
"Bruce..."
"But," he continued, "You hid her from me. If I had known about her, she wouldn't have been so lonely when she needed her father the most. I failed to her as a father, and part of that responsibility is on your shoulders. I can't forget that either."
Barbara just nodded her head and wheeled away. Bruce just stood there, his mind in turmoil.
"So, this is my place." Reese said as Helena entered his apartment. After they had left the Clock Tower, she hadn't said a word. She had just gotten into his car, so he had assumed he should take her some place other than hers, so he had taken her to his home. "You can sleep in my room, I'll get the couch, okay?" He took her hand and practically dragged her to his bedroom.
When they had arrived at the Clock Tower, they had met with Oracle and Dinah, that he expected, but there was also Dinah's mother, wasn't she supposed to be dead? But there had been a couple of men that he had never seen before. The younger one had greeted Helena very fondly, the older man... Helena had called him Batman... Wasn't Batman supposed to be her father? But she hadn't said a word since then, and he wasn't quite sure what to say. He was about to leave the room when a voice stopped him.
"He's my father."
He smiled, she was ready to talk now, good. He sat by her side on his bed.
"I guessed so."
"You know... that... that was the first time we ever met. Can you believe that? I'm twenty-tree years old and tonight, for the first time, I met my father."
Reese covered her hand with his, trying to convey some of his strength to her.
"He abandoned you and your mom?"
"No... no, he never knew I existed. Mom left him when she found out she was pregnant."
"Why?"
"Remember how I told you she gave up completely her criminal life when I was born? He wouldn't have done it, stopped been Batman. So, mom was afraid of what would happen to me if word got out that Batman had a kid. She should've stayed, had they known I existed she probably wouldn't be dead now..." Tears were threatening to fall down her cheeks.
"What do you mean Helena?"
He saw her almost smile, it sounded so right, calling her by her real name.
"The Joker... back when Batman captured him, he went alongside one of his proteges, Batgirl... that be Oracle."
"Your friend Oracle?"
"How many women named Oracle do you know, Reese?"
He looked down. Even in this state she was mocking him.
"They brought him to the police but been the useless excuse for law enforcement they are... no offense intended..."
"Not taken."
"He escaped, just a couple of hours. He went to Oracle's place, shot her in the spine, that's why she's in a wheelchair today. And then... then..." The tears were falling now, so Reese put his arm over her shoulders and brought her to his chest.
"Come on Helena... I'm here with you... What happened then?"
"Joker knew that my mom, Selina Kyle, had once been Catwoman, Batman's allegedly greatest love..." The way she said it, Reese guessed she didn't quite believe it. "So he sent a henchmen to get her... We were walking that night, mom and I... we liked to do that a lot, walk around, talking about everything... she was very tired that night, long day at work... she didn't really want to go but I insisted... so she just gave in, she always did when I wanted something... We were having fun... I was telling her about my boyfriend, Harry Sims, she liked him... we were laughing... then this man came out of nowhere and... and he just... stabbed her. She was bleeding out, she fell and... he got away... I didn't chase him... I was crying, trying to get her to open her eyes, I begged her... I didn't even get to say good-bye... She had devoted her whole life to me, I loved her so much and I couldn't tell her... and I couldn't say thank you..." Reese could feel her shaking and crying in his arms and he could even feel some tears of his own.
"I'm sure she knew..."
"That's not the point! I failed her! And I'm the reason she's dead..."
"Helena that can't be..."
"But it is Reese! Can't you see it?! The Joker killed her because he wanted to hurt Batman... But mom and Oracle, they hid me, neither my father nor Joker knew about me... Had the Joker known, he would've come for his daughter, not for Oracle and not for my mom! And then... I wanted him dead, I still do... He's the reason I lost everything, the reason I became Huntress... Batman could've killed him, if he had loved my mother the was he says he did, he should have... But he was a hero, he couldn't do that! So, he ran away, he left all of us, the brave Dark Knight, the Caped Crusader, that fucking coward and lousy excuse for a father... and now he's here, the same as Joker... This is my town now! He abandoned Gotham! He can keep running for all that I care, I don't need him!" She was mad now, she broke from Reese's embrace and started pacing. He was at a loss of words, after all she had just confided in him, her whole life... He stood in front of her now, to at least stop the pacing.
"Helena, I can see why you're so mad, but I think... maybe you should sit down with your father and have a conversation with him."
"No! No way! I'm not even stepping in the same room...!"
"Helena! Just answer me this, did your mother love this guy?" That stopped her, which he was glad about. She looked at him now, she looked calmer than before.
"Yes. She always said my father was a good man and that she loved him more than she had ever loved any other man... She said I was never a mistake, but a product of a great love. But that sometimes, no matter how much you love a person, you can't be together."
"See? Your mother thought he was a good guy and it sounds to me like she would have wanted for you two to meet. Just think about it."
He started to leave the room again, mainly because he couldn't trust himself to be by her side a minute longer. She looked so sad and vulnerable... and beautiful, she looked so like a person, one he cared about, one he wanted so bad to comfort... he had to leave the room.
"Reese?"
He stopped, this was so hard.
"Yeah?" he didn't turn.
"I never liked that... what mom said, about love not being able to solve every problem... but after she died, I realized it was true, you're on your own... I thought I was good at it, that could take it... but I can't anymore... I just don't want to be alone... I hate being alone..."
He turned around and was surprised to see how close she was to him. He couldn't help it as his hand went up to caress her cheek, she closed her eyes... he could feel her breathing in his open palm.
"You don't have to be alone..." he heard himself whisper, it was out of his control, he knew that much. Everything between them, ever since the day they had met, had led them to this moment.
"Reese... I'm not used to this... to feeling this way... when you're with me, I'm safe... my life is such a mess, but when you're around..."
"Everything makes sense..." he finished for her, "And when you're not here, I cant' stop thinking about you..." He leaned, slowly, as they both closed their eyes, he brushed her lips with his, he could feel the electricity passing between them. "Helena..." he whispered as his arms encircled her waist and the kiss became so much deeper. He could feel her nails scratching his back, even though he was wearing his shirt and then she broke the kiss and started the way down his neck. He closed his eyes, trying to capture every single moment, every sound and smell and image... He never wanted to forget this night.
"Do you really have to sleep on the couch?" she whispered in his ear and he could hear the smile in her voice. He just laughed, took her in his arms and laid her on the bed, while he started the struggle to take her leather garments off.
It was already morning. Barbara had somehow managed to stop Bruce when she had finally got Reese's address at three in the morning. She convinced him he could go in search of Helena at a decent hour. It was six now, Bruce Wayne was taking a shower and then he was going out to look for his daughter.
"Hi Barbara." Dinah came down the stair in her pajamas.
"Shouldn't you be ready for school?" she asked.
"I think I'm going to skip that today."
"Excuse me?"
"Come on, Barbara: My mom just resurrected, the Joker is back in town, Batman and Robin are..."
"Nightwing. The name is Nightwing, you don't want to call him Robin, trust me."
"Okay, they're back in town too, not to mention Helena just met with her father and things are going to be crazy all day."
"If I were you I'll be glad to go to school."
"You called in sick, didn't you?"
Barbara smiled.
"I have to help them sort things out... Bruce and Helena... I need to talk to her."
"So do I! I care a great deal about her, I want to help... Can I please, PLEASE, stay?"
"Okay." She smiled as Dinah hugged her.
"Has Helena contacted you yet?" Dinah asked.
"No. She needs time, she'll come when she's ready. Plus, she's not alone, she's with Reese. He's helping us a lot right now."
"Of course he is! He's all drooling over Helena!"
"Dinah..."
"I'm just saying he likes her, that's all."
"Of course he does, baby sister is hot." His voice again. Barbara wouldn't admit it to Dinah, but the owner of that voice was one of the reasons she had called in sick to her job.
"Hello Mister Grayson."
"Come on kid, the name is Dick."
"Right, Dick." Dinah smiled uneasily, and Barbara could understand why. Dick Grayson was a living legend on his own right.
"What gives, Babs, found her yet?"
"No, she'll come on her own... you know her..."
"Right, last thing we want to do is rush her." After Dick's last statement an uncomfortable silence fell upon them. Barbara and Dick were looking into each other's eyes, Barbara always found them mesmerizing.
"Okay... I'm going now... bye." Dihah excused herself, Barbara barely acknowledged her voice. She was the one who finally broke the spell that had fallen between them.
"So Dick..."
"So Babs..."
"Aren't I a tad old for that silly nickname?"
"Not at all." He flashed her a disarmingly smile.
"I guess you were right."
"What do you mean?"
"I should have told Bruce before. Now everything is a mess because of me."
"You're being to hard on yourself, Babs."
"You were harder on me back then."
"I know... and I'm sorry. Most things I said... I was just mad."
"I'm sorry too, Dick. I've missed you," she finally admitted, to both of them.
"Of course you did, I'm loveable!" He smiled again, she pretended to punch him.
"Do you have to be so annoying all the time?"
"I'm kidding, Babs... I missed you too... so much. But I was too proud to come back, and after all the fights..."
"I knew back then as I know right now you always had Helena's best interest at heart."
"So did you. But I had no place telling you what was right and what was wrong... you know her better, she loves you so much..."
"Right."
"Come on, Babs."
"I was wrong. Dick, I pushed too far too soon. Maybe with a little more time she would have become a more equilibrated person. But she has so many issues, and some of them are my fault. I turned her into Huntress, and maybe she wasn't strong enough to bear it. Maybe all she ever was supposed to be was Helena Kyle."
"Like that was possible. You know what that kid is capable of. If we hadn't taught her what to do with all her energy, the pain, the hurt... she would probably not even be alive now."
"Still Dick... there must have been another way..."
"No Barbara. You did what you had to do to help her recover, I was too blind to see that. She's who she is because of you."
"Right now, Dick, I don't think she's that grateful about that."
"We all have good times and then we also have hard times, Barbara. Today, Helena has it tough, tomorrow... who knows! You took her in, you mentored her and most importantly, you loved her as if she was your own daughter. Don't try to deny it, I know you: She's your world, your little girl, and even if she's inherited her father's complete and absolute inability to express the most basic human emotions, she loves you too. You're her second mom. Don't ever regret the life you forged for her, it's the only one she's got. You did your best, we all know it."
"Thanks, Dick."
"And now... I want to apologize again."
"You don't have to..."
"Yeah, I do. The thing is, you were going through a bad time and if I had been a better... friend..." The word stung Barbara "I wouldn't have bailed on you. The thing is, I'm damn good at running away... like all those years ago, when I first went to Bludhaven... I ran from Bruce like a spoiled little boy. At some point, Babs, I have to start behaving like a man."
"You're a man, Dick... the most wonderful and amazing man I have ever met." She smiled at him. There was something more, something he was not saying, she could see it, she knew Dick Grayson like she knew her right hand. She stared at him and took his hand in hers, encouraging him to talk further. He smiled, he had a great smile. His free hand was now moving, he stroke her cheek... he had done it before, but this time, she even forgot to breath. He started to lean down to her as her eyes started to close when a very loud noise scared them.
"Delphi Alert!!" Barbara almost jumped out of her skin, but the moment was now broken.
"Yeah! Right! Delphi Alert! Of course! What the hell is the Delphi Alert, again?" Barbara smiled, Dick Grayson caught off guard was one of her favorite things in the world, but she was kind of stunned herself.
"The Delphi Alert is a computer system that alerts us when crimes happen... oh man!"
"What?"
"With all the commotion yesterday, we didn't tell you... call Bruce now!"
"What didn't you...?"
"Dick!"
"Okay Babs, I'm going."
Barbara continued working on her computer, how could they forget? There were so many important things at the same time. She could hear Dinah and Carolyn at her side, soon asking questions, but she was ignoring them. Bruce and Dick joined them.
"What's going on, Barbara?" Bruce asked.
"You're not going to like this, boss," she said, smiling as she realized how much she was sounding to Batgirl talking to Batman in her younger years.
"What?" Dinah interjected.
"Something I should have told you before. Bruce, Dick, the Joker is back in town."
"WHAT?!" Dick exclaimed. Barbara could see Bruce's face growing pale, as if he were seeing a ghost.
"He just appeared... we're guessing is either him or Harley Quinn, or both, I'm inclined to think this is Joker himself. Huntress and Detective Reese investigated a breaking at the zoo, they stole two hyenas and killed all the guards. Right now, there are crimes going on like crazy."
"What kind of crimes?" asked Carolyn.
"That's not so much the point as the..."
"Pattern." Bruce completed her sentence.
"Exactly. Look at this." Barbara displayed a map of New Gotham in her computer screen, marking the places were crimes were happening. The marks were forming a smiling face. "There."
"A smiley face? He's forming a smiley face?" Dinah asked.
"That's his theme, his motif. That's his way of letting us know it's him."
"Okay." Barbara could see Dinah blush, she was so scared of Bruce! Poor kid.
"The next crime," Barbara continued, "It's going to happen somewhere in DeMott and Berkley... there we have a jewelry store, a pet shop and a bank."
"That's three locations. I don't have a costume here," Carolyn said.
"Me neither," said Bruce as well.
"Okay, then we have Dinah and Dick for this. Plus, it's good to have a back up here. I'm calling Huntress now."
"You're sending Helena to meet with Joker?" Bruce asked, indignation in his voice.
"I'm informing Huntress of the situation, I hope she'll want to go, but it's her decision, I won't force her hand, but I'm not lying to her. Huntress? Answer me Huntress," she called before Bruce interrupted her again. After about thirty seconds she finally answered.
::I'm here Oracle.::
"Huntress, you okay?"
::Yeah, whatever, what's going on?::
"The Joker is attacking the city. I won't force you..."
::Where?::
"DeMott and Berkeley, you go to the bank. 'Wing will go to the jewelry store and Dinah to the pet shop."
::I'll be there...:: Barbara could hear a distant discussion, Helena was trying to hide the voices from the come device, but Barbara could make up some words, like: crazy... no... whether you want it... annoying... fine! After that, Helena talked to her again. ::Correct that, apparently WE, Reese and I, will be there.::
"Good, Huntress. Take care." Barbara smiled, she was going to be okay. "Dick, Dinah... go." With that, the two heroes were gone.
He was about to cry. He was back. He was really back. Since the day he had left, Alfred's worst nightmare had been not living long enough to see his beloved Master Bruce again. The man he loved like a son was now standing on the outsides of the Clock Tower, looking down at his city.
"It's really a different city now, isn't it Master Bruce?" he asked. He could see he had surprised Bruce. Maybe the sneakiness was finally brushing on him. Bruce turned to him and smiled.
"Alfred... it's good to see you again old friend." Bruce extended his hand and Alfred took it gladly.
"It's also a pleasure to see you're back with us, Master Bruce."
"Yeah... some disagree."
"I see you've met Miss Helena." Alfred could see the conflict on Bruce's face, he felt so sorry for him, for the cards he had been dealt.
"Tell me about her." Bruce finally said. "I have this daughter, and all I know is that she's beautiful and a vigilante."
"Miss Helena is a lot like you actually, Master Bruce, if I may say so. She's strong, bold, driven, very smart and at the field... well, there she resembles Miss Selina the most."
"She's half metahuman, she knows that?"
"Yes, she does. She likes it, she's proud of both her sides. She loved Miss Selina very much, from what I get, she was a wonderful mother."
"I always knew she would be." Bruce smiled.
"She's also very angry, she sometimes has problems feeling comfortable in her own skin, she's very wild, she's a good girl and has her heart in the right place."
"How old is she? Where was she born? Is she in love? I know nothing about her Alfred!"
"She turned twenty-tree a few days ago, she was born in Paris, and if she's not in love, she's falling now." Alfred couldn't help his own smile.
"That Detective?"
"Detective Reese. He's a good man, an honest cop and quite fond of Miss Helena, I think."
"I don't know what to do, Alfred... Everything in my being tells me this girl is my child, she's my daughter, she's all I have. I don't know her but I love her, you know? I want to protect her, to make her happy, but she dresses up every night and puts her life in danger!" Alfred did all he could not to smile. He understood Bruce's fears so well, he had once been the worried parent, and Bruce the kid putting his life in danger every night. But that was the kind of thing Bruce would never realize on his own.
"You are her father, Master Bruce, even if at the moment she's not willing to see this. She needs you. All you can do is what all parents do: You stay by her side and you catch her when she's falling down and help her stand tall again. Right now, Miss Helena is mad and scared, you'll have to give her time. I know Miss Helena, sooner or later, she will come to you, if only to fight, but she'll come around."
"She's going to face the Joker now. That bastard had Selina killed and now... now he's going to aim at my daughter, my kid! That girl is the one thing I have in my live right now that I care about, and what am I supposed to do? Hope she's good enough not to get killed? This shouldn't be happening, I don't want this life for her."
"She's a grown woman Master Bruce, she makes her own decisions, this is the path she chose. Also, she IS good enough not to get killed, every bit as good as you were and Miss Selina were, and then some." He could see a proud smile on the younger man's face. "And finally," he handed him a bag, "you're still her father, it's your duty to take care of your children. Even if they don't want you to." Bruce opened the box and smiled. He took the Batman mask in his hands. Alfred had brought another Batman uniform from the manor.
"I sure missed you, Alfred," Bruce said as he ran to get changed.
"I missed you too, Master Bruce, I missed you too."